Date: April 4, 2013 | Story: Rosemary Hallmark | Styling: Mandy Keener |
El Dorado-based interior designer Andrea Brooks loves to layer vibrant colors as well as new and vintage pieces in her room designs. So, it’s no surprise she applies that same fearless philosophy to entertaining. For this modern take on a fun ladies’ lunch, Brooks began with vintage blue-and-white peacock china and cobalt cut glass tumblers. Next, she added yellow and gold accents to give the table a warm, yet subtle shimmer. “The yellow tray adds a playful, modern touch that keeps the tablescape feeling young and current,” Brooks says. Simple green button mums bridge the blue and yellow, complementing both colors without being the main attraction, while a peacock print tablecloth, made from a fabric found at Cynthia East Fabrics, acts as the statement piece that ties it all together.
“Don’t wait for a special occasion to use your nice china. A lunch or tea with friends can still feel casual when you mix in sophisticated elements.” Shades of gold in the tablecloth and the china’s accents warm up the cool blues and add sparkly sophistication. Brooks mixed vintage Russian peacock china and cobalt glasses from Main Street Antiques with gold-rimmed chargers from Sydney Murphy Design, both in El Dorado. Brooks recommends choosing two colors and layering them in different shades. The blues range from teals to cobalts, while gold acts as a second layer of yellow. Since green is the result of blending these two hues, it’s a natural way to pull the look together. Here, Brooks used bright green button mums from Morgan Florists in El Dorado.
Get the Look Resources
Serving tray: Mertinsdyke Home, Little Rock, (501) 280-3200, mertinsdykehome.com
Metal bird: Cynthia East Fabrics, Little Rock, (501) 663-0460, cynthiaeastfabrics.com
Linen napkins: Cynthia East Fabrics, Little Rock, (501) 663-0460, cynthiaeastfabrics.com
Ikat fabric: Cynthia East Fabrics, Little Rock, (501) 663-0460, cynthiaeastfabrics.com
Andrea Brooks is an El Dorado-based interior designer with a keen eye for color, having trained with internationally known colorist, Maria Killam. She boasts nine years of interior design experience and a B.S. degree in fashion merchandising from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville.
